Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 31, 1914)
11 FIST FIGHT STAGED WHILE COURT SITS MEMBERS OF HIGH SCHOOL FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO FOUGHT FLAMES IN JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL. LA FRANCE MUST RETURN TO PRISON ;goniai TTTE MORNING OTfEGONIAN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1914 N ANNUAL Spectators in Judge McGinn's Room Climb on Seats to Command Good View. FRED L. WIDELL IS VICTIM Wlien Little Daughter, at Her Own Iteqaest, Is Given to Father, Mrs. W'idell and Two Friends Slake Bodily Assault. Deliberately taking1 off his coat, Chris Johannesen walked across the courtroom and struck Fred I. Widell in the lace JuBt after Circuit Judge Mc Ginn had awarded Widell custody of one of his own children yesterday aft ernoon. A general melee, in which Theodore Johannesen, the other man's father, and Mrs. Widell, alio took a hand in belaboring' the former hus band, for a time disrupted the proceed ings of the court. Wldeira face and nose were cut badly. The two Johannesens were se verely reprimanded by Judge McGinn and later were turned loose. The case on trial was the modifica tion of a divorce decree issued some time ago. Fred I Widell declared through his attorney, Ralph Citron, that Mrs. Martha Widell was not a proper person to have charge of the two children, Charlotte, aged 9, and 'Louise, aged 6. The Johannesens, who said they were relatives of Mrs. Widell, were in the courtroom with her. Widell had Intimated that Chris Jo hannesen was living In the same house with Mrs. Widell In Yamhill County. Ue wanted custody of both children. "Let the children themselves decide that point. Let's ask them who they want to live with," said Judge McGinn. He beckoned to Charlotte, the older of the two girls. Girt Wants Father. "Do you want to live with, your mother or with your father?" he asked. "With my father," said the girl. "And who do you want to live with, Louise?" asked the court. The 8-year-old girl hesitated, looked at the Judge, at her father and at her mother. "I want to live with both," she piped out. "That doesn't appear possible," said Judge McGinn after a pause, "so I'll let your mother have charge of you." At this moment the courtroom was crowded. Besides a large number of spectators who usually throng Judge McGinn's court, a new panel of jurors ahnllt 50 of them had 1llwt f.nmf, in and had taken seats in the rear of the courtroom. Just as the Judge made thla an nouncement, Chris Johannesen rose from his seat in the front row, pulled off his coat, walked across the court room where Widell was standing against the railing, and struck him In the face, cutting a large gash In his nose. ' Lawyer Advised to Mix In. Widell struck back and the two fought. The spectators promptly stood on their seats to get a better view of the affair. The court rapped for order, but to no avail. The elder Johannesen pulled off his coat and went to the assistance of his son, and Widell was down on the floor In an instant with the two men on top. "Hit him! He deserves It!" cried Mrs. Widell, and she, too, rushed into the fray. Lawyer Citron rushed to the bench. "i'our honor, they hit my client . in the nose," he declared excitedly. "Well, why don't you hit them in the nose!" flashed back Judge McGinn as he vainly hammered for order. F, A. McMenamin, clerk, and Deputy District Attorney Ryan rushed to the railing and grabbed the belligerents. In an instant they were separated. Bailiffs Shafer and Noonan took charge of them and placed the Johannesens in Judge McGinn's chambers for safe keeping. The Judge severely reprimanded the father and son for starting the fight. He did not remand them to the County Jail, he said, because he realized that they had struck Widell in the heat of passion. He warned them, however, to observe proper decorum in a courtroom In the future. PHOSPHORUS STARTS FIRE Employes of Blnmaner-Frank Driv en From Store by Fumes. Nearly 100 employes of the Blumauer, Frank Drug Company, at Park and Ev erett streets, were chased into the street yesterday by the smoke from a barrel of phosphorus which took fire in the acid room from spontaneous com bustion. The fire was discovered about 1 P. M., when heavy smoke began to roll from the acid room. Believing that the acids bad caught fire, the management ordered all employes from the building and called the fire department. The firemen were unable to face the fumes until Lieutenant W. H. Ring, of truck No. 1, procured a smoke helmet. He sprinkled water on the phosphorus and stopped the fumes. The fire was caused by the breaking of the staves of the barrel, which per mitted the water to leak off and ex posed the phosphorus to the air. The damage was about $200, chiefly due to the breaking of the glass sidewalk over " the acid room by the firemen. $100,000 DAMAGES ASKED Ti. M. Johnson Charges Alienation of Wife's Affections. Suit for $100,000 damages for alien ation of his wife's affections was filed in County Clerk Coffey's office yes terday by L. M. Johnson against Chris topher T. and Rosabel Croddy. Johnson declares in his complaint that his health, feelings and finances were damaged to the extent of 50,000 and asks 150,000 more as "exemplary and punitive damages." Mrs. Croddy is a sister of Johnson's wife, who was formerly Miss Delia Davis. They were married at Joseph, Or., in August, 1911, and Johnson says his wife left him on September 1. 1914. 13 AT EACH OF 2 FETES Albert Pike Memorial Banquets Are Held by Masons. By a curious coincidence, two ban quets of Masons of high degree were held in Portland Tuesday night at each of which 13 were present- The events celebrated the annual memorial day of Albert Pike, noted Masonic writer. It is observed annually throughout Masonic circles on December 29. Thirty-third degree Masons held their annual banquet at the Hotel V 1 4 v ' i V M C- ?-,j v J - - - - - ' t, , 4 f , tnM.iiiuSi iiriA f-f-Wi -wtr n i -twrnt i n ) a nil mi Portland, P. S. Malcolm, inspector-general for Oregon and head of the Ma sonic Rite order in this state, presid ing. Others present were General Thomas M. Anderson, Louis Q. Clarke, juage jonn a. cieiana. Judge M. C. George. W. E. Grace, Wallace Mc Camant, Donald MacKay, B. H. Nicholl, Joseph Simon. D. W. Taylor, T. C. Taylor. Portland, and Judge George H. Burnett, Salem. Knights Commander of tho Court of Honor, next In rank in Masonry to the thirty-third degree, held their annual banquet at the Benson Hotel. Rob ert A. Miller, president, presided at the banquet and at the election he was again chosen for that position. - M. Wright was re-elected secretary. Those present were: Robert A. Miller. D. Soils Cohen, A. McCalman, W, R. Ellis. Richard Martin. Jr., A. M. Wright. George F. Hopkins, F. W. Baltes, J. Francis Drake, Sig Sicbel, James F. Robinson, Portland: W. H. Hollis, Forest Grove, and B. H- Thomp son. Bridal Veil. SEWER BIDS. REJECTED TAMPERING WITH FIGURES AFTER SUBMISSION 19 SUGGESTED. Commissioner Diek Recommends Mon olithic Constrnetloa for Willow Street Extension of Drain. An irregularity In the bid submitted by Gieblsch & Joplin, contractors, for the construction of the Willow-street extension of the East Stark street trunk sewer, one of the largest sewer projects undertaken by the city in sev eral years, caused the rejection by the City Council yesterday of all bids. This is the second time bids have been dis carded because of irregularities. While no charges were made before the City Council it was declared by Commissioner Dieck that he suspected the bid of Giebisch & Joplin had been changed after the bids had been opened and referred to the Department of Public Works for checking. The bids were open to examination by the con tractors in the interim. At the time bids were opened the firm of Guthrie & MsDougall was shown to be the lowest bidder. It is suspected that after that time a unit price on the bid for the item of lumber was changed from f 16.50 for each 1000 feet to $6.60 for each 1000 feet. The figure one of the 116.60 having been changed into a dollar mark. Commissioner Dleck yesterday rec ommended that the contract be awarded for monolithic instead of cement. Prop erty owners of Montavilla, represented by Frank S. Grant, protested against this recommendation on the ground that the monolithic construction would cost them about 96000 more. The lowest bid for cement pipe was $167,199.30, while the lowest for monolithic was 1173,082.60. MISS JEAN JPLE0D WEDS Stenographer for Washington Gov ernors Marrle'd to Karl Holloway. OLTilPIA, Wash., Dee. 30. (Special.) Miss Jean McLeod, executive stenog rapher under Governors A. E. Mead and M. 12. Hay, and for the last two years under Commissioner of Public Lands Clark V. Savidge, was married Tuesday in Tacoma to fearl Holloway, formerly an employe of the industrial insurance department. Miss McLeod was, with one exception. the highest salaried woman employed by the state. She had the distinction of handling the correspondence of six acting Governors In all, for she was also the stenographer during the short THE OREGON! AN ANNUAL IN GREEN WRAPPERS. The Oregonian Annual will be' on sale tomorrow morning, Jan uary 1. Copies desired for mail ing will be rolled in neat gTeen wrappers, with necessary post age. Supplies of The Annual will be available at various prominent street corners, as well as at The Oregonian office, where addresses may be left. Copies all ready for mailing will be sent anywhere in the United States and its possessions, Can ada and Mexico for 10 cents. The price for single copies un stamped is 5 cents each. Be sure to send copies of The An nual, Oregon's greatest advertis ing medium, to your friends in other states. Look for the green wrappers. term of Governor S. G. Coegrove, who died soon after taking office. She served Lleuteaant-Governor Charles E. Coon and Secretaries of State Sam Nichols and I. M- Howell while they acted aa executives during the absence from the state of the Governor. REPRESENTATIVE ON TOUR Burns Man Investigating Keeds of Malheur County. BURNS, Or., Dec. 30. (Special.) Frank Davey, Representative-elect of Malheur and Harney Counties, accom panied by his wife, left yesterday for saiem. He will so by way of Vale and On tario to consult with prominent people of Malheur County as to their needs in a legislative way. Man to Get $850 for an Eje. ASTORIA, Or., Dec. 30. (Special.) The case of John Martinous against the Clatsop Mill Company was settled today by the filing of a stipulation that the plaintiff secure a judgment for $850. The plaintiff, while working In the defendant's mill, lost an eye. Myrle Brown. Wilbur Carl and Cur tiss McKlnney, three 17-year-old high students at Jefferson High School,, were instrumental, to a large extent, in sav ing the building when it caught fire last Tuesday night. Myrle Brown, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Brown, 146 Sumner street, was the first to learn of the blaze. He ran to the nearest box and turned in the alarm to the fire department. The other two boys were at their homes when the fire apparatus passed them. They hastened to the school, where Patrolman Kellog was entering the building. With the officer, the boys hastened to the scene of the flames and turned the school fire hose on the blaze. FUN FILMS PREVAIL Noted Chaplin at Sunset in 30 Minutes of Laughs. STAR HAS DUSTIN- FARNUM Famous Actor Great Favorite in Southern Classic, 'Cameo Kirb;.' Sfarguerite Clark Is Peo ples Feature. Charles Chaplin, in a 30-mlnute farce entitled, "His Prehistoric Past." is the feature at the Sunset Theater. The Keystone comedies, as produced under the direction of Mack Bennett, are featured the world over, and in Port land the Sunset Theater has first choice of the Keystone output. "His Prehistoric Past" starts with a scene showing ' the Incomparable Chaplin, in his usual garb. ' Overcome by fatigue he picks out a soft spot on a convenient park bench and falls asleep. In his dreams time flies back ward at an alarming rate and he soon finds himself a wanderer In the stone age. His adventures there are too ridiculous to be described. Suffice to say, that, in the entire 30 minutes, there Is not a moment without a laugh. Other films shown are a melodrama, a drama and a romance. The melo drma, entitled "The Kxposure," is a two-reel newspaper, featuring Irene Hunt, the popular Reliance film star. The other films are of the usual high standard of the Sunset Theater's selections. GREAT FAVORITE IS AT STAR Dnstln Farnum In 'Cameo Kirby" Is Most Stellar Feature. Dustin Farnum is one actor whose popularity never wanes. Now that he has turned from the legitimate to the motion picture stage, he is more popu lar even than when he created the original stage roles of "The Squaw man." "The Virginian." and Booth Tarkington's famous romantic drama, "Cameo Kirby." So great has been the success of the Farnum picture version of "Cameo Kirby," at the Star Theater since last Sunday, with Dustin Farnum in the feature role, that its engagement has been extended for the rest of this week. It will continue at the Star today, Fri day and Saturday. "Cameo Kirby" is one of the most fascinating picture dramas ever pre sented in Portland. And to see Dustin Farnum in his original role of Kirby is an artistic treat. The first moving picture ever taken of the new Columbia River Highway, the greatest- scenic highway in the world, and Its wonderful waterfalls, are also shown. One of the remarkable scenes is that of Multnomah Falls in ita Winter garb of ice. PEOPLES HAS GIBIi DRAMA Marguerite Clark Is Star of Great Film, "The Crucible." Marguerite Clark, fascinating little star of "Wildflower," is at the Peo ple's Theater in "The Crucible." This feature will prevail for the rest of the week. There are few comedy parts in the play, and because it is in comedy that Miss Clark has heretofore been best, her appearance in "heavy" roles has surprised and delighted her many fol lowers. "The Crucible" is by no means all tragedy, but heart-rending tragedy is depicted. The girl craving for the love of a mother and sister which is withheld; the - deserted wife and baby; the sor did drudgery of the reformatory; the' stormy rebellion of the girls in the home; Innumerable things which make the life of a girl bitter and sad are shown in the picture. Never pnee does little Miss Clark falter in the play. She works like veteran and "The Crucible" shows the result of her artistry. The picture will be at the Peoples until Sunday. Parole of Man Who Swindled Insurance Companies 1s Revoked by Governor. MYSTERY NOT CLEARED UP Despite Plea for Clemency In Con sideration of Wife's Illness and Family's Poverty, Prisoner's Lips Are Sealed. His parole revoked by Governor West yesterday, J. C. La France, who "faked" his own death to defraud in surance companies. Is in the Multnomah County Jail and will be taken back to the State Penitentiary today by Deputy Warden Snodgrase. On learning yesterday morning through The Oregonian that his re arrest was probable. La. France Imme diately telephoned to Warden Lawson at Salem that he was in Portland with his family. On word from District At torney Evans that there was still much mystery in connection with the La France case. Governor West already had revoked the parole. Yesterday La Franca voluntarily went to the District Attorney's office and met Deputy Warden Snodgrass, who had the revocation in his pocket. "If they want me back, they can have me," he said. "I have been punished as much as any man can be punished. I have served more than the minimum term of my sentence. "After a long term of imprisonment," continued La France, as though enter ing into a lengthy discussion, "a prisoner is no longer a man. He can be punished only so much. His sensi bilities become blunted, he loses all confidence in himself, he loses his nerve, and is not able to look out for himself after he is let out. That's what too much punishment does. That's what will happen to me if they send me back. Wife Declared Dying;. "My wife is In the last stages of tuberculosis. I have four children. They are practically deperfdent on charity now. If I was out of- prison I might take care of them, but what am I to do? I thought the other day I could take care of them all right. My wife gets 2J a month from the state, but that's not enough to take care of herself and the children." La France was paroled December 23 and passed Christmas with his family In Portland. After a long conference between Dis trict Attorney Evans and Deputy War den Snodgrass, La France was called to the office in the hope that he might tell where he got the body which was substituted for his own. Paroled only a few days and with the prison again staring him in the face, the destitute, condition of his family fresh in his mind. La France still stead fastly refused to give the information. "No, I've said enough. I won't tell that." He signified his willingness to go back to the Penitentiary for an indefi nite term rather than reveal hU secret. Prosecutor Is Greeted. Deputy District Attorney Kyan. who took a prominent part in the prosecu tion of La France for obtaining money under false pretenses, walked into the room. - "Hello, La France," he said, "do you remember me?" "Remember you!" exclaimed La France as he shook hands cordially. "I don't think IH ever forget you." The two then began another discus sion of the case the same discussion they had gone over many times while La France's case waa pending. The Identity of the body which La France had used was talked over again. "I did hear," said La France, "that some undertakers here said they knew about it, but I don't know. That's only what I heard." Ryan laughed at the story he had heard so- many times and La France laughed with him. "A lot of publicity was given my case," said La France. "It was even printed across the water. I saw some thing about it in an English news paper." He appeared to take a sort of morbid pride in his crime, but nevertheless it could be seen that the thought of going back to the Penitentiary . weighed heavily'on his mind. AXOTITER CHARGE IS PEXDIXG Parole of J. C. La France Made by Governor on Advice of Hoard. SALEM. Or.. Dec. 30. (Special.) Upon the request of District Attorney Evans, Governor West today revoked the parole of J. C. LaFrance, who was convicted in Multnomah County of de frauding Insurance companies by pre tending that he was dead and providing a dead body. Deputy Warden Snod grass, of the State Penitentiary, went to Portland tonight to return the man to prison. The Governor said the parole was recommended in the usual way by the Parole Board, and that he did not know when he freed the man that the Dis trict Attorney wished to try him on an other charge. La France, who is work ing for his brother-in-law near Lents, called the superintendent by telephone early this' morning and asked what he bad better do, announcing that he had been informed Mr. Evans wished to prosecute him on another charge. Colonel Lawson advised him to see the District Attorney at once. "As I understand the case," said Colonel Lawson, "the Multnomah au thorities are - not satisfied with the length of time La France served. They would be willing to drop the other case, I think, if we kept him here five years. His sentence was from one to five years. "The presiding Judge made no recom mendation regarding the parole, simply informing the Board that it should use its own discretion. That also waa the attitude of Sheriff Word, so inasmuch as La France was eligible for the parole, the Board decided to let him go, not knowing that Mr. Evans opposed it. He defrauded, I believe one insurance company and one fraternal order, but was tried on only one of the counts in the indictment. He may be tried on the other one now, but there will be no use of a trial, since the Governor has re voked the parole. "La France was a good prisoner, and we had not the slightest trouble with him. The Board received numerous re quests to parole him when he became eligible for parole, and there was noth ing out of the ordinary In its action." 'I aid not probe into the particulars of the case," declared the Governor, "but simply followed the recommenda tions of the Parole Board. District At torney Evans today advised me that he was gathering evidence for additional charges against the roan, and upon his suggestion I revoked the parole." Ormisten is a new- alloy of aluminum which Is comparable with copper tor light ness and with steel for strength. Is Oregon's Greatest Advertising Medium In the forthcoming New Year's Edition there will be a complete re view of progress and a comprehensive exploitation of the resources and industries of the. state. ' Among exclusive features will be the Panama Canal and shipping section, comprising special articles covering subjects of compelling in terest to the manufacturer, wholesaler, exporter, farmer and mer chant; a double-page drawing of the canal; a drawing showing Port land's relative position with the world's ports; scenes of port and har bor activity in shipping and development work. An entire section will be devoted to state development and another Bection to the civic, commercial and industrial progress of Portland. A handsome pictorial section showing Portland's modern business structures will be an interesting feature. Every resident of Portland, the Columbia River Basin and Oregon ehould secure a copy of the New Year's Edition of The Oregonian. It should be the duty of every person interested in the welfare and devel opment of the state to send a copy or this great edition to each of his friends in other states. . w 1H oat blank form and send to Oregonian office, Sixth and Alder Sta Name Street Town Stata THE OREGONIAN, Portland, Oregon Gentlemen: Enclosed find .-. ., for which mail The Oregonian 's Naw Year's Annual to each of the above addresses. (Enclose 10c for each name.) Sent by. .'. " (Duplicate blanks may be had by calling, telephoning or writing to The Oregonian Circulation Department). NEW TEMPLE RISING Many Volunteer to Erect Structure for Revivals. DENOMINATIONAL LINES GO Workers Toil All Day Despite Rain and Great Headway Is Made on East Side Tabernacle Mot Luncheon Served by Women. Denominational lines were smashed to pieces and creeds were thrown to the winds yesterday morning, when the volunteers assembled to put up the tabernacle at East Eleventh and East Morrison streets for the union meet ings which start Sunday night. In fant baptism, foreordlnation and elec tion cut no figure with the require ment to get a job on the building. The only requirement the foremen insisted on was the possession of a hammer or saw and the ability to hit a nail on the head occasionally. More than 55 volunteers presented themselves for work at 8:80 A. M. These were mem bers of all denominations and some who were not members of any. E. J. Uulgan. evangelist, was there to dem onstrate his ability to ha.ndle a ham mer and saw as well as interpret the Bible. Rev. John D. Nlsenwonder, ot the First United Brethren: Rev. E. . Hornschuch, First Evangelical; Rev. A. Lt. Hutchison, Third Presbyterian; Rev, E. J. Davis, Interdenominational; Rev. T. "W. Lane, Centenary, and oth ers from all East Side churches led the building movement. The construction of the tabernacle went forward in the morning rapidly. In the afternoon the rain interfered, but most of the men continued at work. Building Partly Inclosed. The tabernacle was partly Inclosed, and it is hoped to complete the struc ture today, ready for the inside finish ing, including the singers' platform aixi the, seating of ' the tabernacle, which can go forward with the roof inclosed. The tabernacle will seat 3000 persons. It is 140 by 100 feet, and will be heated by several stoves. At noon yesterday the entire crew were provided with a hot luncheon In the basement of Centenary Church by the women of the several East Side churches, associated for the union meet ings. It was a social hour, and after wards the men returned to work. Workers' 1,1st Given. The following is a list of the volun teers and the denominations represented at the erection of tltejiabernacle: N. Kennedy, 81 yeaiSorof age. Cen tenary Methodist; Rev. At. I Hutchison, pastor Third Presbyterian Church; Rev. T. W. Lane. Centenary Church; Rev. John D. NiBewonder, First United Breth ren; Rev. E. D. Hornschuch, First Eng lish Evangelical: Rev. E. J. Bulgln, evangelist; George M. Link, manager union meetings; A. L. Teeters, Meth odist; B. F. Moore. Methodist; W. O. Zeigler, United Brethren; L. Nelson, non-church; J. L. Vierey, Quaker; Zs". E. Rassico, Evangelical; F. U. Leo, Cal vary Baptist; Harold Leo, Calvary Bap tist; "VV. A. Zimmerman. East Side Bap tist; W. A. Caldwell. Presbyterian; O. B. Trotter, Centenary Methodist; Al bert Haynes, First United Brethren; A. O. Sisson, Hawthorne Park Presby terian; C. E. Dougherty. Evangelical; L. J. Scott, Trinity Methodist; James Affle; J. R. Chassey, People's Church; H. E. Jacobs, "V". C. True. Methodist; Samuel Hoffman, Centenary Methodist; Clarence Hamar. Centenary; O. R. Toevs, Third Presbyterian; A. J. "Wind nagh. Evangelical; J. L. Archibald. Methodist; T. C. Tiffenny, Presbyterian; William II. Van Dorn. Centenary Meth odist; J. W. Koehler, First Evangelical; E. L. McFader, Portland Y. M. C. A.; A. E. Bulgin, soloist; G. A. Gantenbeirv. East Side Baptist; V. McMinn, United Brethren: G. H. Zimmerman, Methodist; R. S. Shelley, East Side Baptist; C. L. Weaver, Centenary Methodist; Rev. T. E, Davis. Interdenominational Church; A. P. Scholl, First Evangelical: H. W. Moore. Christian Church; R. E. Reed, Christian Church; J. D. Carlton, Cen tenary Methodist; J. F. Thome, Cen tenary; J. A. May, Baptist: R- E. Allen, Centenary; J. E. Young, Presbyterian: J. H. H. Weavry, undenominational; George S. Mundy, First United Evan gelical; George E. Lewis, First United Evangelical; Theodore Lee. First United Evangelical; A. K. Bishop, East Side Baptist: F. M. Shea, Catholic Church; John A. Bingham, United Brethren: Rev. A. B. Calder. pastor Trinity Meth odist; II. G. Sonnemann, Centenary Methodist; Rev. C. C. Poling, First United Evangelical Church. Columbia County Taxpayers' League Asks a FewQuestions for Major H. L. Bowlby, State Highway Engineer, to Answer. To Major H. L. Bowlby, State Highway Engineer: In The Oregonian of December 30 you make the statement that the charge made against you of extravagance in the expenditure of the funds of this county are untrue. Inasmuch as such charges have been made, not only of extravagance, but also of incompetency, will you, through the columns of The Oregonian or other Portland papers, answer the following questions ? : (1) Is it true that after making a survey of the road from Clatsop County t3 Tide Cre'ek, in Columbia County, you estimated 32.4 acres of heavy clearing along the right of way and that up to December 1 the contractors had cleared 127.7 acres and that the con tract price of same was $125 an acre ? ; (2) If these figures are correct, do you consider that such estimates, made by a State Highway Engineer, show incompetency or extravagance? (3) Is it not a fact that on what is called the Marshland section of that road you estimated, after your survey, that it would require 765 square rods of grubbing to cost, under the contract, $956.25, and that up to September 1 there had been grubbed on this 9-mile section 3626 square rods at a cost of $4532.50? (4) If these figures are correct, do you consider that they show incompetency, extrav agance or deception? ir (5) ' Is it true and do your records show that on this same 9-mile Marshland section you estimated 4300 cubic yards of hardpan at a cost of $1720 and that up to September 1 there had been removed 18,711 cubic yards at a cost of $7484.40? (6) If these figures are correct, do you consider an engineer competent and careful who could not estimate within 14,000 cubic yards of hardpan on a 9-mile stretch? (7) If the figures contained in any of the above questions are not correct, will you ex plain why those same figures are all approved for payment over your signature in the office of the County Clerk of Columbia County? . (8) If the figures in the above questions are correct and those estimates were made by you in your capacity as State Highway Engineer do you still say that the charges of extravagance and incompetency are untrue and that the petitions of the taxpayers of Colum bia County, asking for your removal, "are just an aftermath of the recall election"? Your full answer to these questions will be appreciated. COLUMBIA COUNTY TAXPAYERS' LEAGUE. By J. O. Watts, Pres. T. M. Caples, Sec. (Paid Advertisement.) .